Monessen furloughs 5 amid budget mess
In a momentary lull in city council’s meeting Monday night, shortly before the controller’s report, Mayor Lou Mavrakis turned to the audience and exclaimed, “We need money.”
That fact became apparent as council voted to furlough five employees and only pay more than $181,000 in general fund bills “as funds become available.”
The furloughed included a street department employee, one full-time and one part-time administrative employee and two meter maids.
“Hopefully, as the real estate taxes come in, we’ll be able to reinstate these people,” said Councilwoman Lucille D’Alfonso.
D’Alfonso estimated that as taxes come in, the furloughs could be rescinded by late February or early March.
Councilman Ron Chiaravalle, who began his term last month, claimed the city used up most of its $500,000 tax anticipation note to pay 2015 outstanding debts. Tax anticipation notes are routinely used by municipalities to meet budget obligations until tax revenues are received.
Councilman John Nestor asked that council hold work sessions “so we can find a panacea to this problem.”
D’Alfonso agreed.
“We’re at a point where we’re going to have to make some difficult decisions,” D’Alfonso said. “We’ve been throwing around concerns. Now it’s time to take some action.”
Councilman Ron Chiaravalle made a motion to reopen the 2016 budget. Just he and Mavrakis agreed to do so.
Solicitor Krisha DiMascio suggested that in lieu of reopening the budget, council could make line item movements within the budget.
D’Alfonso suggested rather than reopen the budget, council agree to form a budget committee including also City Controller Wayne Vlasic and City Clerk Holly Minnio. She said much of the budget was formed based on suggestions from the city’s auditors.
In his annual state of the city address, Mavrakis placed blame for the budget mess on council, specifically targeting D’Alfonso.
He blamed D’Alfonso for nearly $13.6 million in debt that will be repaid over 28 years.
He said the previous administration paid $1 million for a mandated holding tank; used $250,000 in CDBG funds on the amphitheater rather than on road improvements; used $1 million diverted from a bond for blight removal instead for “pet projects,” and purchased a $50,000 clock for the downtown.
He said the current council balked at his plans to sell Eastgate 8 and 11 and the former city building. He said the city pays $106,0000 annual to operate the library and has lost $250,000 annually on the current city hall.
“This council has found fault with everyone of my ideas, but have no ideas or plans better than what I have proposed,” Mavrakis said in his address.
“They also do not want to talk about the past. The past is the reason we do not have a future.
“We are now at the end of ‘Let’s wait until tomorrow.’ Unless city council tries to work with me instead of against me, our future is going into Act 47. I plead with council to reconsider my ideas and try to save our city.”
After his address, Mavrakis got into a shouting match with Councilwoman Patty Bukowski who claimed the mayor was trying to push several tenants out of the city building.
“You’re a liar,” Mavrakas exclaimed.
“Don’t call me a liar,” Bukowski rebuked. “I’m not a liar.”
“The hell you’re not,” the mayor fired back.
D’Alfonso attempted to blame some of the budget woes on the police contract, but Mavrakis — who negotiated the deal — said concessions by the police in benefits actually saved the city money.